Burnout, coping strategies, and psychological well-being among counsellors-in-training (CITS): A study in higher education institutions

Burnout, coping strategies, and psychological well-being are critical aspects of a counsellor-in-training's (CIT) professional development. In the demanding field of counselling, CITs often face various stressors, making it important to understand the factors that affect their mental health and resilience. This study aims (1) To describe demographics characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity) among CITs, (2) To identify level of burnout, coping strategies and psychological well-being among CITs, and (3) To determine the relationships between burnout, coping strategies and psychological well-being among CITs. This study used quantitative correlational research design. The purposive sampling method was employed to select respondents, based on specific criteria relevant to the study’s objectives. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires to 406 counsellors-in-training in six universities in Malaysia. The set of questionnaires were divided into four parts measuring demographic characteristics of the counsellors-in-training, burnout, coping strategies, and psychological well-being. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 27th version was used to analyse the data collected for descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics indicated 61.1% reported a high level of burnout, and 51% reported avoidant coping usage and 52% reported a low level of psychological well-being. Pearson Correlation analysis revealed a moderate negative relationship between burnout and psychological well-being (r = -.395, p <.01). More specifically, weak negative correlations were found between exhaustion (r = -.370, p <.01) and cynicism (r = -.152, p <.01) with well-being, while academic efficacy showed a weak positive correlation (r =.309, p <.01). Additionally, avoidant coping exhibited a weak negative relationship with well-being (r = -.254, p <.01). In contrast, weak positive correlations were observed for approach coping (r =.171, p <.01), humour (r =.210, p <.01), and religion (r =.257, p <.01). The study's findings highlight the prevalence of burnout and the use of coping strategies, such as avoidant coping, among counsellors-in-training. The negative relationship between burnout and psychological well-being underlines the need for educational institutions to address burnout proactively. Additionally, the positive influence of approach coping, humor, and religious practices suggests that fostering these strategies could enhance CITs' well-being. These results contribute to the importance of creating a supportive learning environment that promotes the personal and professional growth of CITs, helping them develop effective coping mechanisms to mitigate burnout.